Low viscosity poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymers

ABSTRACT

An alternative polyurethane composition is provided which comprises a reaction product of an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer, wherein reaction occurs at a temperature of from 20° C. to 200° C., optionally in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate and a component comprising 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I): HC≡C—R—OH (I), wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol. The inclusion of an alkynol-ether reduces the viscosity of the composition without compromising its performance. The inventive alternative polyurethane compositions may find use in providing coatings, adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to alternative polyurethane compositions which are reaction products of a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer and an azidated polyol. The azide and alkyne groups react in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to form 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted triazoles. At least one of the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer and the azidated polyol contain —O(C═O)—NR— functional groups, wherein R=hydrogen or alkyl. The poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises the reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate component and a hydroxyl-functional component, wherein the hydroxyl-functional component is comprised of 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I),

HC≡C—R—OH  (I),

wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol. The alternative polyurethane compositions of the invention may be thermally cured or may be cured with catalysts, reduce the viscosity while maintaining the reactivity and good properties of these polymers, and are suitable for use as coatings, adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

“Click chemistry” is a term first used by Sharpless et al. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2001, 40, 2004-2021) to describe a family of synthetic reactions, which attempt to imitate nature by joining small molecules together with heteroatom links. Sharpless et al. stated a number of criteria that a reaction must meet to be considered a “click” type reaction. These criteria include the reaction (a) must be modular; (b) must have a wide scope; (c) must provide high yields; (d) must produce inoffensive by-products (which can be removed by non-chromatographic methods); (e) must be stereospecific; and (f) must involve simple reaction conditions (insensitive to water and oxygen) and product isolation. Finally, the reaction should use readily available starting materials, reactants, and solvents which are easily removed.

One example of a click reaction which has attracted wide attention is the copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). This azide-alkyne cycloaddition was first described by Huisgen in 1963 and was carried out in the absence of a catalyst, requiring elevated temperatures and giving a mixture of products (namely the 1,4 and 1,5-substituted triazoles). The Cu^(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition was discovered independently by Meldal (Macromol. Rapid. Com. 2008, 29 (12-13), 1016-1051) and Sharpless et al. The benefit seen with these copper-catalyzed reactions was that they could be performed at room temperature and resulted in the exclusive formation of 1,4-substituted triazole products. Another advantage of this cycloaddition is that the azide and alkyne moieties are generally unreactive towards a wide range of functional groups, which eliminates the need for extensive use of protecting groups. This advantage is a key to the reaction's popularity in a number of scientific fields such as the biomedical field and material science.

Although the initial investigations of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions via click chemistry focused on the functionalization and attachment of small molecules to biochemical molecules, U.S. Pat. No. 8,101,238 issued to Fokin et al. describes adhesive polymers which are formed from polyvalent alkynes and azides and can be assembled into cross-linked polymer networks by copper catalysis. The Fokin et al. patent describes the formation of coatings on copper metal surfaces which act as a catalyst for the alkynes and azides to form linear polymers including up to 22 units of a diazide and dialkyne or cross-linked polymeric networks. The compositions disclosed in Fokin et al. were proposed for use in applications such as adhesives and coatings and for combination with cement and other materials.

Polymeric triazoles constructed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,772,358 issued to Tang et al. The compounds of Tang et al. are prepared by thermal conversion at about 100° C. without the addition of a catalyst, which resulted in the formation of both 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted triazoles. These compositions are described by Tang et al. as being “hyper-branched”, which is a result of the exclusive use of tri- or higher substituted alkynes and azides during preparation. The advantage of these compositions is that their preparation does not involve the use of additional solvents or catalysts, which might have detrimental effects on the resulting properties. This benefit, however, is somewhat negated by the need to cure the compositions at elevated temperatures.

Liu, X.-M. et al. in Biomacromolecules 2007, 8, 2653-2658, describe the synthesis of linear poly(ethylene glycol)s using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition for chain extension. Liu et al. disclose that poly(ethylene glycol)s having pendant alkyne moieties are reacted with 2,2-bis(azidomethyl)propane-1,3,diol and copper sulfate/sodium ascorbate.

A significant disadvantage of the above-described reactions is the required use of di- and polyazides, which have relatively high nitrogen contents. For example, Fokin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,101,238) describes compounds having nitrogen contents of up to about 60% in the form of azides. Such compounds are impracticable for industrial application due to the compounds' explosiveness. The compounds of Tang et al. and Xin-Ming et al. have nitrogen contents in the form of azides of about 23% and 43%, respectively, which pose problems when the azide compounds are handled as such.

Ossipov et al. (Macromolecules 2006, 39, 1709-1718) describe the preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hydrogels via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, in which a first poly(vinylalcohol) is functionalized with azide functionalities and a second poly(vinyl alcohol) is functionalized with alkyne functionalities, and subsequently the two poly(vinyl alcohol)s are reacted with each other by cyclization of the alkyne and azide groups. Ossipov et al. also disclose that azide terminated poly(ethylene glycol)s may be used as a replacement for the azide-modified poly(vinyl alcohol).

Carter et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 9,790,398 disclose the synthesis of both a diazide monomer and a dialkyne monomer from 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). The inventors also created a diazide monomer by reaction of sodium azide with diglycidyl ether of poly(propylene oxide). Carter et al., disclose the synthesis of only one polymer produced by CuAAC catalyzed reaction of azide-functional poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether with the dialkyne of MDI.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016/0311973 in the name of Yang et al. is directed to waterborne dispersion coatings that cure by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Yang et al. disclose hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-based polyurethane/urea dispersions possessing pendent propargyl groups, HDI-based polyurethane/urea dispersions possessing pendent azide groups, and also alkyd and acrylic type waterborne polymers possessing either alkyne or azide pendent groups.

Both the Carter et al. and Yang et al. references start from small molecules and polymerize these materials to give the final alternative polyurethane products.

Despite the above-described advancements in technology, the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of multivalent azides and alkynes has not been described in combination with prepolymer precursors to which the azide and alkyne groups have been attached. Such prepolymers would have the advantage that the azide content of a prepolymer relative to its total weight could be low enough to minimize the risk of explosions, while the number of azides in the prepolymer molecules can be higher than two allowing the formation of cross-linked systems.

To reduce or eliminate problems, therefore, a need continues to exist in the art for ways of producing alternative polyurethane compositions which rely on simple modification of existing prepolymers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention reduces or eliminates problems inherent in the art by providing novel chemical intermediates and methods of preparation, and polyurethane-based compositions made therefrom, that cure without the presence of free isocyanates in the final curing step.

The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that the addition of a hydroxyl-functional component comprising 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I),

HC≡C—R—OH  (I),

wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol, into the polyisocyanate chain reduces viscosity without sacrificing alkyne functionality of the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymers. The invention is directed to modifying the polyisocyanate chain with the component to reduce the viscosity without compromising performance. These poly(alkynyl carbamate) polymers are used in azido-alkyne cycloaddition (click) chemistry. The coatings, adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites of the present invention may be solvent-borne or waterborne.

These and other advantages and benefits of the present invention will be apparent from the Detailed Description of the Invention herein below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Except in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages, and so forth in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”

Any numerical range recited in this specification is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1.0 and the recited maximum value of 10.0, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited herein. All such ranges are intended to be inherently described in this specification such that amending to expressly recite any such sub-ranges would comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112(a), and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a). The various embodiments disclosed and described in this specification can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the features and characteristics as variously described herein.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material identified herein is incorporated by reference into this specification in its entirety unless otherwise indicated, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material expressly set forth in this specification. As such, and to the extent necessary, the express disclosure as set forth in this specification supersedes any conflicting material incorporated by reference herein. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference into this specification, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein, is only incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material. Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification to expressly recite any subject matter, or portion thereof, incorporated by reference herein.

Reference throughout this specification to “various non-limiting embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature or characteristic may be included in an embodiment. Thus, use of the phrase “in various non-limiting embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” or the like, in this specification does not necessarily refer to a common embodiment, and may refer to different embodiments. Further, the particular features or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with various or certain embodiments may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present specification.

The grammatical articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used herein, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more”, unless otherwise indicated, even if “at least one” or “one or more” is expressly used in certain instances. Thus, these articles are used in this specification to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to “at least one”) of the grammatical objects of the article. By way of example, and without limitation, “a component” means one or more components, and thus, possibly, more than one component is contemplated and may be employed or used in an implementation of the described embodiments. Further, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise.

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to an alternative polyurethane composition comprising a reaction product of an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer, wherein reaction occurs at a temperature of from 20° C. to 200° C., optionally in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate and a hydroxyl-functional component comprising 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I),

HC≡C—R—OH  (I),

wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a process of producing an alternative polyurethane composition, the process comprising reacting an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer at a temperature of from 20° C. to 200° C., optionally in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate and a hydroxyl-functional component comprising 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I),

HC≡C—R—OH  (I),

wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol.

In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to waterborne or solventborne coatings, adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites comprising the inventive alternative polyurethane composition according to the previous two paragraphs. The modification of the polyisocyanate with an alkynol-ether reduces the viscosity of the composition without compromising its performance in coatings, adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites.

As used herein, the term “polymer” encompasses prepolymers, oligomers, and both homopolymers and copolymers; the prefix “poly” in this context refers to two or more. As used herein, the term “molecular weight”, when used in reference to a polymer, refers to the number average molecular weight, unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, the term “polyol” refers to compounds comprising at least two free hydroxyl groups. Polyols include polymers comprising pendant and terminal hydroxyl groups.

As used herein, the term “coating composition” refers to a mixture of chemical components that will cure and form a coating when applied to a substrate.

The terms “adhesive” or “adhesive composition” refer to any substance that can adhere or bond two items together. Implicit in the definition of an “adhesive composition” or “adhesive formulation” is the concept that the composition or formulation is a combination or mixture of more than one species, component or compound, which can include adhesive monomers, oligomers, and polymers along with other materials.

A “sealant” or “sealant composition” refers to a composition which may be applied to one or more surfaces to form a protective barrier, for example to prevent ingress or egress of solid, liquid or gaseous material or alternatively to allow selective permeability through the barrier to gas and liquid. In particular, it may provide a seal between surfaces.

A “film composition” refers to a mixture of chemical components that will cure and form a thin flexible strip of material, i.e., a “film”.

An “elastomer” refers to a polymeric composition that has high elongation and flexibility or elasticity. Elastomers may be made from natural rubber, polyurethanes, polybutadiene, neoprene, and silicone.

A “casting” or “casting composition” refers to a mixture of liquid chemical components which is usually poured into a mold containing a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowed to solidify.

A “composite” or “composite composition” refers to a material made from one or more polymers, containing at least one other type of material (e.g., a fiber) which retains its identity while contributing desirable properties to the composite. A composite has different properties from those of the individual polymers/materials which make it up.

A “foam” is produced by mixing a polyol and an isocyanate along with an amine or organometallic catalyst and a combination of water and a hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent.

The terms “cured,” “cured composition” or “cured compound” refer to components and mixtures obtained from reactive curable original compound(s) or mixture(s) thereof which have undergone chemical and/or physical changes such that the original compound(s) or mixture(s) is(are) transformed into a solid, substantially non-flowing material. A typical curing process may involve crosslinking.

The term “curable” means that an original compound(s) or composition material(s) can be transformed into a solid, substantially non-flowing material by means of chemical reaction, crosslinking, radiation crosslinking, or the like. Thus, compositions of the invention are curable, but unless otherwise specified, the original compound(s) or composition material(s) is(are) not cured.

As used herein, the term “solventborne” refers to a composition which contains organic solvents rather than water as its primary liquid component.

As used herein, the term “waterborne” refers to a composition, preferably a dispersion, which contains water as its primary liquid component.

The components useful in the present invention comprise a polyisocyanate. As used herein, the term “polyisocyanate” refers to compounds comprising at least two unreacted isocyanate groups, such as three or more unreacted isocyanate groups. The polyisocyanate may comprise diisocyanates such as linear aliphatic polyisocyanates, aromatic polyisocyanates, cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates and aralkyl polyisocyanates.

Suitable polyisocyanates for use in embodiments of the invention include, organic diisocyanates represented by the formula

R(NCO)₂

wherein R represents an organic group obtained by removing the isocyanate groups from an organic diisocyanate having (cyclo)aliphatically bound isocyanate groups and a molecular weight of 112 to 1000, preferably 140 to 400. Preferred diisocyanates for the invention are those represented by the formula wherein R represents a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms, a divalent cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 5 to 15 carbon atoms, or a divalent araliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 7 to 15 carbon atoms.

Examples of the organic diisocyanates which are particularly suitable for the present invention include 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,12-dodecamethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,3- and 1,4-diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-2-isocyanato-methyl cyclopentane, 1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl cyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI), bis-(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, 1,3- and 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, bis-(4-isocyanato-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3- and 1,4-xylene diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanato-methyl cyclohexane, and 2,4- and 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), pentane diisocyanate (PDI)-bio-based), and, isomers of any of these; or combinations of any of these. Mixtures of diisocyanates may also be used. Preferred diisocyanates include 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)-methane because they are readily available and yield relatively low viscosity oligomers.

Polyisocyanate adducts containing isocyanurate, iminooxadiazine dione, urethane, biuret, allophanate, uretdione and/or carbodiimide groups are also suitable for use in the present invention and may be prepared from the same organic groups. Such polyisocyanates may have isocyanate functionalities of 3 or more and can be prepared, for example, by the trimerization or oligomerization of diisocyanates or by the reaction of diisocyanates with polyfunctional compounds containing hydroxyl or amine groups. In certain embodiments, the polyisocyanate is the isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate, which may be prepared in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,879 at col. 3, line 5 to col. 6, line 47.

The polyols useful in the present invention may be either low molecular weight (62-399 Da, as determined by gel permeation chromatography) or high molecular weight (400 to 10,000 Da, as determined by gel permeation chromatography) materials and in various embodiments will have average hydroxyl values as determined by ASTM E222-17, Method B, of between 1000 and 10, and preferably between 500 and 50.

The polyols in the present invention include low molecular weight diols, triols and higher alcohols and polymeric polyols such as polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polyurethane polyols and hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylic polymers.

The low molecular weight diols, triols and higher alcohols useful in the present invention are known to those skilled in the art. In many embodiments, they are monomeric and have hydroxyl values of 200 and above, usually within the range of 1500 to 200. Such materials include aliphatic polyols, particularly alkylene polyols containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms. Examples include ethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol; and cycloaliphatic polyols such as cyclohexane dimethanol. Examples of triols and higher alcohols include trimethylol propane and pentaerythritol. Also useful are polyols containing ether linkages such as diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol.

In various embodiments, the suitable polyols are polymeric polyols having hydroxyl values less than 200, such as 10 to 180. Examples of polymeric polyols include polyalkylene ether polyols, polyester polyols including hydroxyl-containing polycaprolactones, hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylic polymers, polycarbonate polyols and polyurethane polymers.

Examples of polyether polyols include poly(oxytetramethylene) glycols, poly(oxyethylene) glycols, and the reaction product of ethylene glycol with a mixture of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide.

Also useful are polyether polyols formed from the oxyalkylation of various polyols, for example, glycols such as ethylene glycol, 1,4-butane glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, and the like, or higher polyols, such as trimethylol propane, pentaerythritol and the like. One commonly utilized oxyalkylation method is reaction of a polyol with an alkylene oxide, for example, ethylene oxide in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst.

Polyester polyols can also be used as a polymeric polyol component in the certain embodiments of the invention. The polyester polyols can be prepared by the polyesterification of organic polycarboxylic acids or anhydrides thereof with organic polyols. Preferably, the polycarboxylic acids and polyols are aliphatic or aromatic dibasic acids and diols.

The diols which may be employed in making the polyester include alkylene glycols, such as ethylene glycol and butylene glycol, neopentyl glycol and other glycols such as cyclohexane dimethanol, caprolactone diol (for example, the reaction product of caprolactone and ethylene glycol), polyether glycols, for example, poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol and the like. However, other diols of various types and, as indicated, polyols of higher functionality may also be utilized in various embodiments of the invention. Such higher polyols can include, for example, trimethylol propane, trimethylol ethane, pentaerythritol, and the like, as well as higher molecular weight polyols such as those produced by oxyalkylating low molecular weight polyols. An example of such high molecular weight polyol is the reaction product of 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of trimethylol propane.

The acid component of the polyester consists primarily of monomeric carboxylic acids or anhydrides having 2 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule. Among the acids which are useful are phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, chlorendic acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid and other dicarboxylic acids of varying types. Also, there may be employed higher polycarboxylic acids such as trimellitic acid and tricarballylic acid (where acids are referred to above, it is understood that the anhydrides of those acids which form anhydrides can be used in place of the acid). Also, lower alkyl esters of acids such as dimethyl glutamate can be used.

In addition to polyester polyols formed from polybasic acids and polyols, polycaprolactone-type polyesters can also be employed. These products are formed from the reaction of a cyclic lactone such as ε-caprolactone with a polyol with primary hydroxyls such as those mentioned above. Such products are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,949.

In addition to the polyether and polyester polyols, hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylic polymers or (meth)acrylic polyols can be used as the polyol component.

Among the (meth)acrylic polymers are polymers of 2 to 20 percent by weight primary hydroxyl-containing vinyl monomers such as hydroxyalkyl acrylate and methacrylate having 2 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and 80 to 98 percent by weight of other ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable materials such as alkyl(meth)acrylates; the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the monomeric charge.

Examples of suitable hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates are hydroxy ethyl and hydroxy butyl(meth)acrylate. Examples of suitable alkyl acrylates and (meth)acrylates are lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate and n-butyl acrylate.

In addition to the acrylates and methacrylates, other copolymerizable monomers which can be copolymerized with the hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates include ethylenically unsaturated materials such as monoolefinic and diolefinic hydrocarbons, halogenated monoolefinic and diolefinic hydrocarbons, unsaturated esters of organic and inorganic acids, amides and esters of unsaturated acids, nitriles and unsaturated acids and the like. Examples of such monomers include styrene, 1,3-butadiene, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, α-methyl styrene, α-methyl chlorostyrene, vinyl butyrate, vinyl acetate, alkyl chloride, divinyl benzene, diallyl itaconate, triallyl cyanurate and mixtures thereof. Preferably, these other ethylenically unsaturated materials are used in admixture with the above-mentioned acrylates and methacrylates.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the polyol may be a polyurethane polyol. These polyols can be prepared by reacting any of the above-mentioned polyols with a minor amount of polyisocyanate (OH/NCO equivalent ratio greater than 1:1) so that free primary hydroxyl groups are present in the product. In addition to the high molecular weight polyols mentioned above, mixtures of both high molecular weight and low molecular weight polyols such as those mentioned above may be used.

Suitable hydroxyl-functional polycarbonate polyols may be those prepared by reacting monomeric diols (such as 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, di-, tri- or tetraethylene glycol, di-, tri- or tetrapropylene glycol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 4,4′-dimethylolcyclohexane and mixtures thereof) with diaryl carbonates (such as diphenyl carbonate, dialkyl carbonates (such as dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate), alkylene carbonates (such as ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate), or phosgene. Optionally, a minor amount of higher functional, monomeric polyols, such as trimethylolpropane, glycerol or pentaerythritol, may be used.

In various embodiments, the azidated polyols are the reaction products of a polyol and methane sulfonyl chloride (or toluenesulfonyl (tosyl), p-bromophenylsulfonyl (brosyl), benzyl) in presence of base, followed by displacement of the methanesulfonate by an azide anion using NaN₃. Another method to produce azidated polyols is the reaction of a polyoxirane compound, for example, a (meth)acrylic polymer containing glycidyl methacrylate comonomer units, with an azide ion using, for example, NaN₃. Any polyol, including but not limited to, those disclosed herein may be azidated and useful in the invention.

The azidated polyol useful in the present application may have a nitrogen content derivable from azide relative to the total weight of the molecule in various embodiment of 20 wt.-% or less, in certain embodiments of 18 wt.-% or less, or of 16 wt.-% or less and in selected embodiments of 15 wt.-% or less. Having such a low azide content helps to ensure that the polyols are sufficiently stable against explosive decomposition, such that extensive handling precautions can be avoided. On the other hand, it is preferred that the nitrogen content derivable from azide relative to the total weight of the molecule in the azide polyol in various embodiments is 1 wt.-% or more, in some embodiments, 2 wt.-% or more, in certain embodiments, 5 wt.-% or more and in selected embodiments, 8 wt.-% or more. Such an azide content ensures that the polyols have a sufficiently low viscosity during handling, but also permits the azidated polyol to contain multiple azide groups.

The alternative polyurethane compositions of the present invention are obtained by reacting an azide compound having two or more azide groups attached thereto and an alkyne compound having two or more alkyne groups attached thereto in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the azide and alkyne groups. This can for example, be achieved by heating the components to temperatures sufficient to affect the cycloaddition such as in various embodiments, at least 100° C., in certain embodiments, at least 120° C. and in selected embodiments, at least 140° C.

In various embodiments, the alkyne-containing alkylation agent is a propargyl halogenide, in certain embodiments, a propargyl chloride or bromide, as such compounds are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

In selected embodiments, the alkyne is obtainable by the reaction of a polyisocyanate or isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer and an alkyne having a functional group reactive towards isocyanates. The functional group reactive towards isocyanates may be an amine, hydroxyl or thiol group. The alkyne may be straight chain or branched and contain cyclic moieties. In various embodiments, the alkyne contains from 3 to 10 carbon atoms; in other embodiments from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. A preferred alkyne for the reaction with polyisocyanates or polyisocyanate prepolymer is propargyl alcohol.

In various embodiments, the alkyne-containing alkylation agent is an alkynol, in certain embodiments, a propiolate, in certain embodiments, 2-hydroxyethylpropiolate (2-HEP). In various embodiments, a first and a second alkynol are used, these may be the same or different.

In certain embodiments, the optional catalyst in the present application may be a Cu^(I)-based catalyst. The Cu^(I)-based catalyst may, for example, be a copper-containing surface which contains sufficient Cu^(I) in the surface layer to provide the required catalytic action. If application of the inventive composition to non copper-containing surfaces is intended, it is necessary that the Cu^(I)-based catalyst come from a copper source which is not attached to the surface of a material to which the alternative polyurethane composition is to be applied.

Suitable copper catalysts of this type can be based on commercially available Cu^(I) salts such as CuBr or CuI. It has been noted that Cu^(I) precursors do not provide catalysts with high reactivities in the formation of 1,4-disubstituted triazoles when azide compounds having two or more azide groups attached thereto and alkyne compounds having two or more alkyne groups attached to a molecule are reacted; however, Cu^(II) precursors which are converted to Cu^(I) by the action of a reducing agent, provide enhanced activity. Suitable Cu^(II) precursors include, but are not limited to, copper(II) sulfate, copper(II) acetate monohydrate, and copper(II) 2-ethylhexanoate. Suitable reducing agents include for example triphenyl phosphine, sodium ascorbate, tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate and hydroquinone.

In various embodiments, suitable alkynol-ethers include but are not limited to propargyl triethylene glycol, propargyl tripropylene glycol, and propargyl tributylene glycol. The alkyne of the alkynol-ether may be straight chain or branched and contain cyclic moieties. In various embodiments, the alkyne contains from 3 to 10 carbon atoms; in other embodiments from 3 to 8 carbon atoms.

In various embodiments, the alternative polyurethane compositions of the present invention may be used to provide coatings, adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites.

The alternative polyurethane compositions of the present invention may further include any of a variety of additives such as defoamers, devolatilizers, surfactants, thickeners, flow control additives, colorants (including pigments and dyes) or surface additives.

The alternative polyurethane compositions of the invention may be contacted with a substrate by any methods known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to, spraying, dipping, flow coating, rolling, brushing, pouring, and the like. In some embodiments, the inventive compositions may be applied in the form of paints or lacquers onto any compatible substrate, such as, for example, metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, and natural materials. In certain embodiments, the inventive composition is applied as a single layer. In other embodiments, the composition of the present invention may be applied as multiple layers as needed.

EXAMPLES

The non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples that follow are intended to further describe various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments without restricting the scope of the embodiments described in this specification. All quantities given in “percents” are understood to be by weight, unless otherwise indicated. For the purpose of mass to mole conversions, reagents with purity of 99% or higher are considered to be 100% pure. Although described herein in the context of a coating, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites.

The following materials were used in preparation of the Examples:

-   POLYISOCYANATE A an allophanate-modified polyisocyanate having     isocyanate equivalent weight of 217.72 g/eq; commercially available     from Covestro LLC (Pittsburgh, Pa.) as DESMODUR XP 2580 (19.3%     isocyanate); -   POLYOL A an acrylic polyol, received as a 80 wt % solids solution in     n-BA, commercially available from Allnex as SETALUX DA 870 BA,     possessing hydroxyl equivalent weight of 461.02 g/eq (at 100%     solids); -   ALKYNOL-ETHER A mono-propargyl triethylene glycol; -   POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER A a proprietary prepolymer based     on POLYISOCYANATE A, having alkyne equivalent weight of 273.78 g/eq; -   POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER B a proprietary prepolymer based     on POLYISOCYANATE A, having alkyne equivalent weight of 295.85 g/eq,     modified with 16.7 mol % ALKYNOL-ETHER A; -   POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER C a proprietary prepolymer based     on POLYISOCYANATE A, having alkyne equivalent weight of 317.79 g/eq,     modified with 33.3 mol % ALKYNOL-ETHER A; -   POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER D a proprietary prepolymer based     on POLYISOCYANATE A, having alkyne equivalent weight of 405.94 g/eq,     modified with 100 mol % ALKYNOL-ETHER A; -   4 Å Molecular Sieves Fisher Scientific, Type 4A, Grade 514, 8-12     Mesh beads, 4 Å pore size, activated using a microwave oven prior to     use; -   ALKYNOL A propargyl alcohol (99%), commercially available from     Fisher Scientific; reagent was dried over 4 Å molecular sieves prior     to use; -   MESYL-Cl methanesulfonyl chloride, (≥99.7%), commercially available     from Sigma-Aldrich; -   MeCN acetonitrile (OPTIMA), commercially available from Fisher     Scientific; solvent was distilled and dried over 4 Å molecular     sieves prior to use; -   Toluene Certified ACS, commercially available from Fisher     Scientific; -   Pyridine anhydrous (99.8%), commercially available from     Sigma-Aldrich; -   Ethyl acetate Certified ACS, commercially available from Fisher     Scientific; -   TEA triethylamine (≥99.5%) commercially available from     Sigma-Aldrich; -   TEG triethylene glycol (99%), commercially available from Acros     Organics; -   TRTCl trityl chloride (98%) commercially available from     Sigma-Aldrich; -   THF tetrahydrofuran (HPLC grade), commercially available from Fisher     Scientific, dried further via distillation over calcium hydride (ca.     93%, extra pure, 0-2 mm grain size, Acros Chemicals); -   NaOH sodium hydroxide (Certified ACS), commercially available from     Fisher Scientific; -   DCM dichloromethane (Certified ACS), commercially available from     Fisher Scientific; -   DMF N,N-dimethylformamide (Certified ACS), commercially available     from Fisher Scientific; -   NaH sodium hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil), commercially     available from Sigma-Aldrich; -   NaN₃ sodium azide (REAGENTPLUS, ≥99.5%), commercially available from     Sigma-Aldrich; -   Ethyl ether SPECTRANALYZED, commercially available from Fisher     Scientific; -   DCM dichloromethane (Certified ACS); -   n-BA n-butyl acetate (ACS reagent, ≥99.5%), commercially available     from Sigma-Aldrich; further dried using 4 Å molecular sieves prior     to use; -   MEK methyl ethyl ketone (Certified ACS), commercially available from     Sigma-Aldrich; -   Hexane Certified ACS, commercially available from Fisher Scientific; -   Ammonium chloride Certified ACS, commercially available from Fisher     Scientific; -   NaHCO₃ sodium bicarbonate (Certified ACS), commercially available     from Fisher Scientific; -   CELITE 545 commercially available from Fisher Scientific; -   MgSO₄ magnesium sulfate, anhydrous, commercially available from     Fisher Scientific; -   Pd/C palladium on carbon, 10 wt % loading, matrix activated carbon     support, commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich; -   TOSYL-Cl p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, commercially available from     Acros Organics; -   CATALYST A dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL, 98%), commercially available     from Strem Chemicals; -   CATALYST B AMBERLYST 15H (wet), commercially available from     Sigma-Aldrich; and, -   Brine saturated aqueous solution of NaCl, prepared by dissolving 450     g NaCl (certified ACS, Fisher Scientific) into 1.2 L of DI water at     room temperature.

The procedure to synthesize ALKYNOL-ETHER A involved four steps: (1) synthesis of monotrityl ether of triethylene glycol (TrtO-TEG); (2) synthesis of monotrityl ether of triethylene glycol, tosyl ester (TrtO-TEG-OTs) from TrtO-TEG; (3) synthesis of mono-tosyl ester of triethylene glycol (TsO-TEG) from TrtO-TEG-OTs; and (4) synthesis of ALKYNOL-ETHER A from TsO-TEG.

Synthesis of TrtO-TEG

All glassware was cleaned and dried in an oven overnight. TEG (483.97 g, 430 mL, 3.223 mol) and toluene (50 mL) were placed in a one liter, one-neck round bottom flask, and toluene-water azeotrope was removed by distillation. The flask was equipped with a stir bar, and pyridine (46.94 g, 48 mL, 0.593 mol) and TRTC1 (111.51 g, 0.392 mol) were added under argon protection. The flask was fitted with a septum, and the septum was fitted with a needle connected to a balloon. The flask and balloon were inflated with argon using a second needle. The second needle was removed, and the mixture was vigorously stirred for three hours at room temperature under argon. The reaction was quenched with DI water (200 mL). The crude product was extracted with toluene (100 mL), and the organic layer was washed with 80/20, v/v brine/water mixture (100 mL), saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (50 mL), and brine (4×50 mL). The mixture was dried with MgSO₄, filtered and vacuum stripped of solvent to afford the product as a colorless oil (149.13 g), which was then characterized by ¹H-NMR to confirm its structure.

Synthesis of TrtO-TEG-OTs

TrtO-TEG (149.11 g, 0.380 mol) and THF (500 mL) were added to a two-liter, one-neck round bottom flask equipped with a stir bar. NaOH (56.0 g, 1.400 mol) was dissolved in DI water (200 mL), cooled to room temperature and added to the THF solution. The flask was immersed in an ice bath, and the mixture was stirred and allowed to equilibrate at 0° C. for 10 minutes. A solution of TOSYL-Cl (84.0 g, 0.441 mol) in 200 mL of THF was added slowly through a dropping funnel over 30 minutes. The mixture was allowed to stir for four hours at 0° C. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 hours to hydrolyze the remaining TOSYL-Cl. Water (100 mL) and ethyl ether (200 mL) were added, and the organic layer was separated, washed with saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO₃(200 mL) and brine (3×200 mL), and dried over MgSO₄. After filtration, the solvent was vacuum stripped to yield the product (186.42 g) as a viscous yellowish oil which was then characterized by ¹H-NMR to confirm its structure.

Synthesis of TsO-TEG

Pressurized hydrogenation was performed to cleave the trityl-oxygen bond. Pd/C (1 g) was added to a 500 mL pressure reactor under N₂ protection. TrtO-TEG-OTs (73.15 g, 0.134 mol) was dissolved in MeCN (200 mL) and sparged with N₂. The solution and CATALYST B (1 g) were added to the reactor. The reactor was placed onto a shaker hydrogenation apparatus (Parr Instrument Co.), sealed, and purged with compressed H₂ gas (purchased and used as received from Gas and Supply) three times. The mixture was shaken at room temperature for 48 hours under pressurized H₂ atmosphere (50.0 bar). The mixture was then filtered through CELITE 545 and washed with hexane (10×100 mL). The solvent was vacuum stripped, and the crude product was dissolved in ethyl acetate (200 mL). The resulting solution was washed with DI water (3×100 mL) and brine (100 mL), and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was vacuum stripped to afford the isolated product (26.78 g) as a pale, yellowish oil, which was characterized by ¹H-NMR to confirm the structure.

Synthesis of ALKYNOL-ETHER A

All glassware was cleaned and dried in an oven overnight. NaH (3.416 g, 85.40 mmol) was washed with hexane five times under N₂ protection and added to a 500 mL one-neck, round bottom flask equipped with a stir bar. MeCN (150 mL) was added, and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. ALKYNOL A (5.526 g, 98.56 mmol) was added dropwise, and the mixture was allowed to react under N₂ protection for one hour. A solution of TsO-TEG (20.0 g, 32.85 mmol) in 150 mL MeCN was added to the mixture, slowly over the course of 30 minutes, using an addition funnel. The stirring was continued at 50° C. under N₂ protection for 16 hours. The mixture was filtered, and solvent and remaining ALKYNOL A were vacuum stripped at room temperature to afford the product (11.86 g) as a slightly yellowish oil, which was characterized by ¹H-NMR to confirm its structure.

Synthesis of POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER A

All glassware was cleaned and dried in an oven overnight. POLYISOCYANATE A (101.02 g, 0.464 mol isocyanate) and CATALYST A (1.09 g, 1.73 mmol) were charged to a 500 mL three-neck, round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a thermocouple, and an addition funnel. The mixture in the flask was stirred and allowed to equilibrate at 0° C. for ten minutes. After equilibration, ALKYNOL A (26.102 g, 0.466 mol) was charged to the addition funnel and added into the stirring solution at initially 1 drop/sec (ALKYNOL A had been dried prior to reaction using 4 Å Molecular Sieves. The addition speed was adjusted so that the temperature of the reaction would not exceed 30° C. After the addition was complete, the mixture was allowed to react overnight, and the product of the reaction was characterized by FTIR, ¹³C-NMR and ¹H-NMR.

Synthesis of POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER B

All glassware was cleaned and dried in an oven overnight. POLYISOCYANATE A (6.0 g, 27.56 mmol isocyanate), distilled THF (50 mL), and CATALYST A (0.06 g) were charged to a three-neck, 100 mL round bottom flask equipped with a stir bar, a thermocouple and an addition funnel. ALKYNOL-ETHER A (0.866 g, 4.60 mmol) was added to the addition funnel. The system was sealed with rubber septa; stirring was activated, and under N₂ protection, the contents were equilibrated to 0° C. by immersion in an ice bath for ten minutes. After the equilibration, ALKYNOL-ETHER A was added into the stirred solution at initially 1 drop/sec. The addition speed was adjusted so that temperature of the reaction did not exceed 30° C. At this point, ALKYNOL A (1.287 g, 22.96 mmol) was added to the top of the addition funnel using a syringe. The same temperature precautions were taken during the addition of ALKYNOL A as were taken during the addition of ALKYNOL-ETHER A. After the addition, the mixture was allowed to react overnight. THF was removed by vacuum stripping, and the product of the reaction was characterized by ¹H-NMR.

Synthesis of POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMERS C and D

POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER C was made following the same procedure as POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER B, except POLYISOCYANATE A (6.0 g, 27.56 mmol isocyanate), CATALYST A (0.06 g), ALKYNOL-ETHER A (1.728 g, 9.18 mmol), and ALKYNOL A (1.031 g, 18.38 mmol) were used.

POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER D was made following the same procedure as POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER B, except POLYISOCYANATE A (6.0 g, 27.56 mmol isocyanate), CATALYST A (0.06 g), and ALKYNOL-ETHER A (5.189 g, 27.56 mmol) were used.

Synthesis of AZIDATED POLYOL A

All glassware was cleaned and dried in an oven overnight. The following procedure was performed in a N₂-protected dry box equipped with a cryostated heptane bath. POLYOL A (151.2 g, 0.262 mol), TEA (55.0 mL, 0.395 mol) and MeCN (300 mL) were charged to a one-liter, two-neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and an addition funnel. The mixture was stirred and allowed to equilibrate at 0° C. for 10 minutes. After equilibration, a solution of MESYL-Cl (24.0 mL, 0.310 mol) in MeCN (50 mL) was charged to the addition funnel and added into the stirring solution at 1 drop/sec. After the addition, the mixture was allowed to react overnight.

The reaction flask was transferred out of the dry box, and the mixture was filtered to remove the TEA salts. MeCN and excess TEA were vacuum stripped, and the mesylated resin was re-dissolved into ethyl acetate (500 mL). The solution was washed with 20/80 (v/v) brine/DI water mixture (3×300 mL) and then brine (300 mL), and then dried with MgSO₄ overnight. Ethyl acetate was removed by vacuum stripping to afford the mesylated POLYOL A as an intermediate. An aliquot was taken to perform FTIR, ¹³C-NMR, and ¹H-NMR characterization.

The mesylated resin was re-dissolved in MeCN (300 mL) and DMF (30 mL) in a one liter, one-neck round bottom flask. NaN₃ (20.0 g, 0.308 mol) and a stir bar were added to the mixture, and the flask was equipped with a condenser sealed with a rubber septum with a needle. The mixture was stirred at 95° C. for 16 hours, allowed to cool to room temperature, and filtered to remove the mesyl-Na salts. MeCN was vacuum stripped, and the azidated resin was re-dissolved into ethyl acetate (500 mL). The solution was washed with 20/80 (v/v) brine/DI water (3×300 mL) and then brine (3×300 mL), and then dried with MgSO₄ overnight. The final product, AZIDATED POLYOL A, was isolated by removal of ethyl acetate by vacuum stripping and thereafter characterized by FTIR, ¹³C-NMR, and ¹H-NMR. An aliquot of the product was placed on an aluminum pan and dried in the oven at 100° C. for one hour.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies were conducted using a NICOLET 8700 spectrometer with a KBr beam splitter and a DTGS detector. Samples were sandwiched between two NaCl salt plates (polished with DCM) of approximate thickness of 5 mm.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectra and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR) spectra were obtained using a 600.13 MHz Varian Mercury^(plus) NMR (VNMR 6.1C) spectrometer. For ¹H NMR, typical acquisition parameters were 8 s recycle delay, 7.8 μs pulse corresponding to a 45° flip angle, and an acquisition time of 1.998 s. The number of scans acquired for each sample was 64. All ¹H chemical shifts were referenced to tetramethylsilane (TMS) (0 ppm). Sample solutions were prepared at a concentration of approximately 5-10% in deuterated chloroform (CDCl₃) (99.8+ atom % D, 0.03 v/v % TMS) (Acros Organics, further dried using activated molecular sieves prior to use), and the resulting solution was charged to a 5 mm NMR tube.

For ¹³C NMR, typical acquisition parameters were 1 sec recycle delay, 11 ms pulse corresponding to a 45° flip angle, and an acquisition time of 0.908 s. The number of scans acquired for each sample was 1024. All ¹³C chemical shifts were referenced to residual chloroform (77.16 ppm). Sample solutions were prepared at a concentration of approximately 30% in CDCl₃, and the resulting solution was charged to a 5 mm NMR tube.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed using a TA Instruments Q200. For this purpose, coatings were prepared on polyethylene (PE) film substrate. The coatings, which had little adhesion to the PE film, were easily peeled off and punched to give circular samples (d=0.25 in) of the coating films. Stacks of five such samples (total ˜5 mg) per coating were placed in a hermetically sealed T_(zero) pan. A heat/cool/heat cycle was performed on each stack starting at −50° C. and ending at 200° C. at a rate of 10° C./min. The glass transition temperature (T_(g)) of the cured material was determined from the second heating cycle, and TA Universal Analysis software was used to determine the midpoint of the T_(g) inflection as the reported value.

Isothermal viscosity was measured using a strain-controlled ARES rheometer (TA Instruments) at room temperature using cone and plate methodology. The cone had a diameter of 50.0 mm with an angle of 0.04 radians, and the gap applied between the cone and the plate during tests was 0.053 mm. The frequency used was 1 rad/s. Strain sweeps were performed on all specimens. The results showed that 50% strain fell within the linear viscoelastic regime for nearly all specimens, and therefore this strain value was used for all subsequent viscosity measurements. For each sample, data were collected in 10 s intervals over a 30-minute period resulting in 180 total points; the reported viscosity of the sample was calculated as the average of these 180 data points. The results are summarized in Table I.

POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER A in Table I was a control resin that was unmodified (0% ALKYNOL-ETHER A). POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMERS B, C, and D were modified with 16.7 mol %, 33.3 mol %, and 100.0 mol % ALKYNOL-ETHER A, respectively.

POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMERS B, C, and D in Table I were modified to determine the viscosity response of the prepolymers from the addition of various concentrations of short oligo(ethylene glycol) chain segments (ALKYNOL-ETHER A moieties). As can be seen from Table I, the viscosities of the resins decreased with the addition of ALKYNOL-ETHER A moieties to the polyisocyanate molecule in comparison to only ALKYNOL A-modified polyisocyanate (compare POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) prepolymer A with POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) prepolymers B, C, and D). In all cases of ALKYNOL-ETHER A modification, the modification not only reduced the viscosity but also preserved full alkyne functionality for use during the azido-alkyne cycloaddition (click) reaction.

TABLE I POLY(ALKYNYL Modification CARBAMATE) Amount Viscosity PREPOLYMER Type (mol %) (mPa-s) A None — 77,918 B ALKYNOL-ETHER A 16.7 32,490 C ALKYNOL-ETHER A 33.3 18,664 D ALKYNOL-ETHER A 100.0 20,564

Coatings Preparation

Table II lists ingredients and their respective amounts used to produce various exemplary formulations prepared from the POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) prepolymers of Table 1. Formulation 0 in Table II was prepared as follows. POLYOL A (3.105 g) and POLYISOCYANATE A (1.174 g) were added to a scintillation vial. The mixture was placed in a FLAKTECH mixer and mixed at 1800 rpm for 20-30 minutes until a homogenous mixture was obtained. Meanwhile, smooth-finish steel panels (Type QD, Q-Lab Corporation) and polyethylene (PE) films were treated with acetone rinsing to remove surface contaminants. Formulation 0 was then drawn down onto the prepared panels and PE films using a 6 mil wet drawdown bar. The coatings were placed in a VWR Shel lab HF2 oven with preprogrammed temperature setup for a consistent curing profile, described as follows: the solvent was allowed to flash at 30° C. for two hours, and the temperature was ramped up to 100° C. at 1° C./min. The coatings were cured at 100° C. for four hours and cooled to 30° C.

FORMULATIONS A through D in Table II were prepared similarly to FORMULATION 0. As an example, FORMULATION A was prepared as follows: AZIDATED POLYOL A (3.079 g) and POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) PREPOLYMER A (1.582 g) were added to a scintillation vial. The mixture was diluted with n-BA (0.44 g) and placed in a FLAKTECH mixer and mixed at 1800 rpm for 20-30 minutes until a homogenous mixture was obtained. Meanwhile, smooth-finish steel panels (Type QD, Q-Lab Corporation) and polyethylene (PE) films were treated with acetone rinsing to remove surface contaminants. FORMULATION A was then drawn down onto the prepared panels and PE films using a 6 mil wet drawdown bar. The coatings were placed in a VWR Shel lab HF2 oven with preprogrammed temperature setup for a consistent curing profile, described as follows: the solvent was allowed to flash at 30° C. for two hours, and then the temperature was ramped up to 100° C. at 1° C./min. The coatings were cured at 100° C. for four hours and cooled to 30° C.

TABLE II Formulation Type Amount 0 POLYISOCYANATE 1.174 POLYOL A 3.105 A POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) 1.582 PREPOLYMER A AZIDATED POLYOL A 3.079 n-BA 0.440 B POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) 1.625 PREPOLYMER B AZIDATED POLYOL A 2.926 n-BA 0.315 C POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) 1.700 PREPOLYMER C AZIDATED POLYOL A 2.850 n-BA 0.315 D POLY(ALKYNYL CARBAMATE) 1.950 PREPOLYMER D AZIDATED POLYOL A 2.559 n-BA 0.315

Each coatings formulation was applied onto three smooth-finish steel panels (Type QD, Q-Lab Corporation). Each coating test was conducted in triplicate (one replicate per panel). Coating tests were performed 12 hours after the complete curing profile.

Reaction conversion/crosslink density was qualitatively compared via an MEK double rubs test up to 200 rubs using a 32 oz. (0.907 kg) hammer covered by four folds of cheesecloth according to ASTM D5402-15.

Hardness was measured via a pencil hardness test in accordance with ASTM D3363-05.

Table III lists coating performance properties of cured coatings prepared from the formulations listed in Table II. FORMULATION 0 was a polyurethane control. FORMULATION A was azido-alkyne click control that had no ALKYNOL-ETHER A modification. FORMULATIONS B through D used modified poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymers that had 16.7 mol %, 33.3 mol %, and 100 mol % ALKYNOL-ETHER A modification as reported in Table I. The poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer modifications were accomplished without sacrificing alkyne functionality as the ALKYNOL-ETHER A modifier also possessed alkyne functionality. Table III shows the coating test results of the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymers that were modified with ALKYNOL-ETHER A, compared to a polyurethane control and an azido-alkyne click control that had not been modified. As can be clearly seen to those skilled in the art, the ALKYNOL-ETHER A modifications decreased the viscosity considerably, while the coating performance was retained. The hardness of coatings prepared with ALKYNOL-ETHER A modified poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymers decreased as ALKYNOL-ETHER A modification increased. Surprisingly, the solvent resistance of coatings made with ALKYNOL-ETHER A modified resins (FORMULATIONS B, C, and D) was not sacrificed compared to the formulation made with poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer control (FORMULATION A) and the urethane control (FORMULATION 0).

TABLE III Pencil MEK T_(g) FORMULATION Hardness Double Rubs (DSC)(° C.) 0 6H >200 46.95 A 8H >200 34.87 B 4H >200 28.72 C HB >200 25.85 D 3B >200 12.54

This specification has been written with reference to various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments. However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosed embodiments (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports additional embodiments not expressly set forth herein. Such embodiments may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps, components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non-limiting embodiments described in this specification. In this manner, Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims during prosecution to add features as variously described in this specification, and such amendments comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112(a), and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a).

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1. An alternative polyurethane composition comprising a reaction product of an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer, wherein reaction occurs at a temperature of from 20° C. to 200° C., optionally in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate component and a hydroxyl-functional component, wherein the hydroxyl-functional component is comprised of 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I), HC≡C—R—OH (I), wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol.

Clause 2. The alternative polyurethane composition according to Clause 1, wherein the alkynol-ether is a reaction product of a second alkynol and a toluenesulfonyl-trialkene glycol ether (TsO-TEG).

Clause 3. The alternative polyurethane composition according to Clause 2, wherein the toluenesulfonyl-trialkene glycol ether (TsO-TEG) is a hydrogenation product of a trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether-toluenesulfonylate (TrtO-TEG-OTs).

Clause 4. The alternative polyurethane composition according to Clause 3, wherein the trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether-toluenesulfonylate TrtO-TEG-OTs) is a reaction product of a trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether (TrtO-TEG) and tosyl chloride (TOSYL-CL).

Clause 5. The alternative polyurethane composition according to Clause 4, wherein the trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether (TrtO-TEG) is a reaction product of a trialkene glycol ether (TEG) and trityl chloride (Trt).

Clause 6. The alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the trialkene glycol ether (TEG) is selected from the group consisting of propargyl triethylene glycol, propargyl tripropylene glycol, and propargyl tributylene glycol.

Clause 7. The alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the first and second alkynol is independently selected from the group consisting of propargyl alcohol, 2-hydroxyethylpropiolate, and isomers of any of these; or mixtures of any of these.

Clause 8. The alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein the polyisocyanate is selected from the group consisting of 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,12-dodecamethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-2-isocyanato-methyl cyclopentane, 1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl cyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI), bis-(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, bis-(4-isocyanato-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3-xylene diisocyanate, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethy-1,4-xylene diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanato-methyl cyclohexane, 2,4-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), pentane diisocyanate (PDI)-bio-based), and, isomers of any of these; or mixtures of any of these.

Clause 9. The alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 8, wherein the polyisocyanate contains one selected from the group consisting of isocyanurate, biuret, allophanate, uretdione, and iminooxadiazine dione groups.

Clause 10. The alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein the azidated polyol is a reaction product of a polyol and an azide anion.

Clause 11. The alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 10, wherein the azidated polyol is a reaction product of a polyol and methane sulfonyl chloride in the presence of a base, followed by displacement of methanesulfonate by an azide anion.

Clause 12. The alternative polyurethane composition according to one of Clauses 10 and 11, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene ether polyols, polyester polyols, hydroxyl containing polycaprolactones, hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylic polymers, polycarbonate polyols, polyurethane polyols and combinations thereof.

Clause 13. The alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 12, wherein the catalyst comprises a Cu^(II) catalyst and a reducing agent.

Clause 14. The alternative polyurethane composition according to Clause 13, wherein the Cu^(II) catalyst is selected from the group consisting of copper(II) chloride, CuCl₂[PMDETA], copper(II) bromide, copper(II) iodide, copper(II) sulfate, and copper(II) acetate monohydrate.

Clause 15. The alternative polyurethane composition according to one of Clauses 13 and 14, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of triphenyl phosphine, sodium ascorbate, tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, and hydroquinone.

Clause 16. One of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite comprising the alternative polyurethane composition according to any one of Clauses 1 to 15.

Clause 17. A substrate having applied thereto the one of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite according to Clause 16.

Clause 18. A process of producing an alternative polyurethane composition, the process comprising reacting an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer at a temperature of from 20° C. to 200° C., optionally in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate and a hydroxyl-functional component comprising 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I): HC≡C—R—OH (I), wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol.

Clause 19. The process according to Clause 18, wherein the alkynol-ether is a reaction product of a second alkynol and a toluenesulfonyl-trialkene glycol ether (TsO-TEG).

Clause 20. The process according to Clause 19, wherein the toluenesulfonyl-trialkene glycol ether (TsO-TEG) is a hydrogenation product of a trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether-toluenesulfonylate (TrtO-TEG-OTs).

Clause 21. The process according to Clause 20, wherein the trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether-toluenesulfonylate (TrtO-TEG-OTs) is a reaction product of a trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether (TrtO-TEG) and tosyl chloride (TOSYL-CL).

Clause 22. The process according to Clause 21, wherein the trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether (TrtO-TEG) is a reaction product of a trialkene glycol ether (TEG) and trityl chloride (Trt).

Clause 23. The process according to any one of Clauses 18 to 22, wherein the trialkene glycol ether (TEG) is selected from the group consisting of propargyl triethylene glycol, propargyl tripropylene glycol, and propargyl tributylene glycol.

Clause 24. The process according to any one of Clauses 18 to 23, wherein the first and second alkynol is independently selected from the group consisting of propargyl alcohol, 2-hydroxyethylpropiolate, and isomers of any of these; or mixtures of any of these.

Clause 25. The process according to any one of Clauses 18 to 24, wherein the polyisocyanate is selected from the group consisting of 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,12-dodecamethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-2-isocyanato-methyl cyclopentane, 1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl cyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI), bis-(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, bis-(4-isocyanato-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3-xylene diisocyanate, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethy-1,4-xylene diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanato-methyl cyclohexane, 2,4-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), pentane diisocyanate (PDI)-bio-based), and, isomers of any of these; or mixtures of any of these.

Clause 26. The process according to any one of Clauses 18 to 25, wherein the polyisocyanate contains one selected from the group consisting of isocyanurate, biuret, allophanate, uretdione, and iminooxadiazine dione groups.

Clause 27. The process according to any one of Clauses 18 to 25, wherein the azidated polyol is a reaction product of a polyol and an azide anion.

Clause 28. The process according to any one of Clauses 18 to 25, wherein the azidated polyol is a reaction product of a polyol and methane sulfonyl chloride in the presence of a base, followed by displacement of methanesulfonate by an azide anion.

Clause 29. The process according to one of Clauses 27 and 28, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene ether polyols, polyester polyols, hydroxyl containing polycaprolactones, hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylic polymers, polycarbonate polyols, polyurethane polyols and combinations thereof.

Clause 30. The process according to and one of Clauses 18 to 29, wherein the catalyst comprises a Cu^(II) catalyst and a reducing agent.

Clause 31. The process according to Clause 30, wherein the Cu^(II) catalyst is selected from the group consisting of copper(II) chloride, CuCl₂[PMDETA], copper(II) bromide, copper(II) iodide, copper(II) sulfate, and copper(II) acetate monohydrate.

Clause 32. The process according to one of Clauses 30 and 31, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of triphenyl phosphine, sodium ascorbate, tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, and hydroquinone.

Clause 33. One of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite comprising the alternative polyurethane composition made according to the process of any one of Clauses 18 to 32.

Clause 34. A substrate having applied thereto the one of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite according to Clause 33. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An alternative polyurethane composition comprising a reaction product of an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer, wherein reaction occurs at a temperature of from 20° C. to 200° C., optionally in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate component and a hydroxyl-functional component, wherein the hydroxyl-functional component comprises 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I), HC≡C—R—OH  (I), wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol.
 2. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 1, wherein the alkynol-ether is a reaction product of a second alkynol and a toluenesulfonyl-trialkene glycol ether.
 3. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 2, wherein the toluenesulfonyl-trialkene glycol ether is a hydrogenation product of a trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether-toluenesulfonylate.
 4. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 3, wherein the trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether-toluenesulfonylate is a reaction product of a trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether trialkene glycol ether and tosyl chloride.
 5. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 4, wherein the trityl-oxygen-trialkene glycol ether is a reaction product of a trialkene glycol ether and trityl chloride.
 6. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 1, wherein the trialkene glycol ether is selected from the group consisting of propargyl triethylene glycol, propargyl tripropylene glycol, and propargyl tributylene glycol.
 7. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyisocyanate is selected from the group consisting of 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,12-dodecamethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-2-isocyanato-methyl cyclopentane, 1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl cyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI), bis-(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, bis-(4-isocyanato-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3-xylene diisocyanate, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethy-1,4-xylene diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanato-methyl cyclohexane, 2,4-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), pentane diisocyanate (PDI)-bio-based), and, isomers of any of these; or mixtures of any of these.
 8. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyisocyanate contains one selected from the group consisting of isocyanurate, biuret, allophanate, uretdione, and iminooxadiazine dione groups.
 9. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 1, wherein the azidated polyol is a reaction product of a polyol and an azide anion.
 10. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 9, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene ether polyols, polyester polyols, hydroxyl containing polycaprolactones, hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylic polymers, polycarbonate polyols, polyurethane polyols and combinations thereof.
 11. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a Cu^(II) catalyst and a reducing agent.
 12. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 11, wherein the Cu^(II) catalyst is selected from the group consisting of copper(II) chloride, CuCl₂[PMDETA], copper(II) bromide, copper(II) iodide, copper(II) sulfate, and copper(II) acetate monohydrate.
 13. The alternative polyurethane composition according to claim 11, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of triphenyl phosphine, sodium ascorbate, tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, and hydroquinone.
 14. One of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite comprising the alternative polyurethane composition according to claim
 1. 15. A substrate having applied thereto the one of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite according to claim
 14. 16. A process of producing an alternative polyurethane composition, the process comprising reacting an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer at a temperature of from 20° C. to 200° C., optionally in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of stoichiometric equivalents of a polyisocyanate component and a hydroxyl-functional component, wherein the hydroxyl-functional component comprises 1-100% of an alkynol-ether of the formula (I), HC≡C—R—OH  (I), wherein R is a linear or branched ether chain having from 1 to 15 atoms, and wherein the remainder of the hydroxyl-functional component comprises a first alkynol.
 17. The process according to claim 16, wherein the polyisocyanate is selected from the group consisting of 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,12-dodecamethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate, cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-2-isocyanato-methyl cyclopentane, 1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl cyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI), bis-(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, bis-(4-isocyanato-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3-xylene diisocyanate, α,α,α′,α′-tetramethy-1,4-xylene diisocyanate, 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanato-methyl cyclohexane, 2,4-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), pentane diisocyanate (PDI)-bio-based), and, isomers of any of these; or mixtures of any of these.
 18. One of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite comprising the alternative polyurethane composition made according to the process of claim
 16. 19. A substrate having applied thereto the one of a coating, an adhesive, a sealant, a film, an elastomer, a casting, a foam, and a composite according to claim
 18. 